Everton clinched a narrow 1-0 triumph at Goodison Park after substitute Charly Alcaraz struck a decisive goal in the closing stages of the third‑round Carabao Cup tie against a heavily rotated Wolves side. The win sets up a purely Premier League showdown with Newcastle United in the week beginning October 26, keeping the Toffees unbeaten in competitive fixtures so far this campaign.
Alcaraz entered the match off the bench and, just three minutes later, delivered the match‑winning strike in the 80th minute. It was only his second goal for Everton, the first having come over a year ago in the same cup competition.
His powerful, curling effort from inside the penalty area left Wolves goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with little chance, sealing the three points for the home side. Wolves arrived at Goodison having made nine changes to the lineup that had secured a league win at Sheffield United the previous weekend. Their usual goal‑scorer, Raul Jimenez, started the match but was forced off midway through the first half after sustaining an injury.
Post‑match, Wolves manager César Peixoto confirmed that Jimenez would miss the upcoming Black Country derby against West Bromwich Albion at Molineux, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The visitors also featured debutant João Virginia, who produced an impressive performance against his former club. Virginia made a crucial close‑range save in first‑half stoppage time, denying a header from Thierno Barry.
Later, in the second half, he denied a shot from Everton substitute Brennan Johnson, before Alcaraz’s winner proved unstoppable. Everton’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, also contributed with a fine save early in the second half, thwarting a shot from Adam Armstrong – Jimenez’s replacement – which was the Wolves’ first shot on target of the evening. The goal sparked celebration not only among the crowd but also among notable fans such as UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian finance minister Mark Carney, both known supporters of Everton.
The victory keeps David Moyes’ side in contention for their first major trophy since the 1995 FA Cup triumph. Assistant manager Alan Irvine highlighted the progress of 20‑year‑old midfielder Tyler Dibling, who was named man of the match. Dibling provided the assist for Alcaraz’s winner and, according to Irvine, appears to be settling into the club after a challenging debut season.
"Since pre‑season he’s looked more comfortable and like he belongs here," Irvine said. "Young players often need time to adapt, especially at a club with high expectations. I told him before the game that his patience would be rewarded and that he needed to seize the opportunity.
He did just that, giving us a decision to make for the next match." The manager added that Dibling’s acceleration and willingness to contribute are improving, noting that he has been working closely with fellow youngster Tyrique George during the pre‑season to raise their impact on the pitch. On the Wolves side, Peixoto expressed satisfaction with the overall performance despite the loss. He praised the effort of the many youngsters who featured, stating, "We played a good game against a strong Premier League team.
The young players did a great job. I’m happy with the performance, even if the result wasn’t what we wanted." The match also featured a promotional message encouraging fans to play the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available. Overall, the encounter showcased Everton’s resilience and depth, as a late substitute made the difference, while Wolves demonstrated the potential of their revamped squad, even though injuries and a lack of cohesion ultimately cost them the points. Looking ahead, Everton will aim to build on this momentum in their upcoming clash with Newcastle, hoping to continue their unbeaten run and progress further in the Carabao Cup.
Wolves, meanwhile, will need to regroup, manage Jimenez’s injury, and integrate the numerous new faces as they prepare for their next league fixtures and the upcoming derby against West Brom.